Oil filter cap with ball valve anti-sticking device

Abstract

A cap for sealing an outer end of an oil filler tube of an engine where the oil filler tube has an inner end with ball valve having a float ball and mating valve seat for impeding any reverse flow of oil during engine operation. The cap includes a sealable plug mating the tube outer end; a rod extending from the plug toward the inner end of the tube; and a valve opening device mounted to the rod for dislodging the float ball from the valve seat.

1. A cap for sealing an outer end of an oil filler tube of an engine, the oil filler tube having an inner end with ball valve means comprising a float ball and mating valve seat for impeding any reverse flow of oil during engine operation, the cap comprising:
 a sealable plug mating an internal surface of the tube outer end;  
 a rod extending from the plug toward the inner end of the tube; and  
 valve opening means mounted to the rod for dislodging the ball from the valve seat, the valve opening means comprising a resilient tip mounted to an inner end of the rod, the rod having a length wherein the tip engages the ball.  
 
   
   
     2. A cap according to  claim 1  wherein the resilient tip comprises an elastomeric material. 
   
   
     3. A cap according to  claim 1  wherein the resilient tip comprises a coil spring about the inner end of the rod. 
   
   
     4. A cap for sealing an outer end of an oil filler tube of an engine, the oil filler tube having an inner end with ball valve means comprising a float ball and mating valve seat for impeding any reverse flow of oil during engine operation, the cap comprising:
 a sealable plug mating an internal surface of the tube outer end;  
 a rod extending from the plug toward the inner end of the tube, wherein the rod is slidably mounted to the cap; and  
 valve opening means mounted to the rod for dislodging the ball from the valve seat, the valve opening means comprising a piston mounted to the inner end of the rod, the piston having a sliding air retaining seal engaging the tube when inserted therein.  
 
   
   
     5. A cap according to  claim 4  including: a compression spring coiled about the rod confined between the piston and the cap; and latch means engaging the rod and cap for compressing the spring to a loaded position when the piston is placed into the tube and releasing the piston when the latch is opened. 
   
   
     6. An oil filler tube for an engine, comprising:
 a hollow tube having an inner end, an outer end and an internal surface;  
 ball valve means, comprising a float ball and a mating valve seat disposed at the inner end of the oil filler tube, for impeding any reverse flow of oil during engine operation by floating of the ball upwardly and for permitting forward flow of oil during filling of oil from the inner end and out the outer end of the tube; and  
 a cap having: a sealable plug mating the internal surface of the outer end of the oil filler tube; and a rod having an outer end connected to the plug and an inner end terminating in a resilient tip, wherein the rod has a length wherein the resilient tip engages the float ball to disengage the float ball from the valve seat in a cap closed position.  
 
   
   
     7. An oil filler tube according to  claim 6  wherein the resilient tip comprises an elastomeric material. 
   
   
     8. An oil filler tube according to  claim 6  wherein the resilient tip comprises a coil spring about the inner end of the rod. 
   
   
     9. A cap according to  claim 1  wherein the resilient tip is compressible thereby enabling the ball of the valve to sealingly engage the valve seat. 
   
   
     10. An oil filler tube according to  claim 6  wherein the resilient tip is compressible thereby enabling the ball of the valve to sealingly engage the valve seat.